A Question About Vehicle Ground Clearance

I have a question about ground clearance. I just bought a crossover SUV. It doesn't have much ground clearance but will (just barely) make it over an obstruction I need to drive over. Does a vehicle's stated ground clearance take into account the amount the suspension can bounce? That is, I can barely clear the obstruction but it will work if the springiness of the suspension doesn't let the car go below its stated ground clearance. If the springs let it go lower the vehicle will bottom out.

Hmmm. The ground clearance number is a fancy way of saying how far the bottom of the chassis is off the ground and that is good for the average driver on a road. It does not account for big pot holes, etc. To an off-roader, it generally means the lowest part of the vehicle including rocker arms, shocks, and differentials. So, a good rule of thumb is to go very slow and if need be, have a spotter outside the vehicle when in doubt.

The ground clearance number is a fancy way of saying how far the bottom of the chassis is off the ground and that is good for the average driver on a road.

I understand ground clearance is the distance of the bottom of the chassis from the ground. Another way of asking, is stated ground clearance only with the car standing still or with it bumping on the road where the vehicle goes up and down on the springs? And if so, is it a measure of the closest the springs will let the chassis get to the ground. Yet another way: Does a vehicles stated ground clearance take into account how low the suspension will let it go?

Ground clearance is always stated while the vehicle is stationary. While driving (with people in there) the springs will compress a little so actual clearance will be a little less, but shouldn't affect it too much.

Now as for your 6"-6.25" clearance, that's a pretty tight margin! My advice on that one is to take it SLOW and have a spotter to make sure. Also, before you tackle the 'obstacle' you might wanna take a look UNDER your vehicle to see which part of it is the lowest (most likely the diff or a suspension part).

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Actual ground clearance also depends upon your tires, so if you are using larger tires than they used when they determined the ground clearance, you get more clearance. Two inches is surprising however.

Generally the lowest clearance is in the frt and rear axle zone and since that clearance doesnt change unless you change tire size you can actually clear a higher obstacle that the sheer number might lead you to believe. If you have 6" clearance at the wheel area you would clear a 6" obstacle by 6" make sense?

Actual ground clearance also depends upon your tires, so if you are using larger tires than they used when they determined the ground clearance, you get more clearance. Two inches is surprising however.

If you have 6" clearance at the wheel area you would clear a 6" obstacle by 6" make sense?

Not really. I didn't meet the curb head on, it went over one wheel at a time.

One of my car has a low clearance. Make sure your tire air pressure is right and even then I angle my way in. SOmetimes I use a different driveway. They are working on Bellaire Blvd in Chinatown and after a rain there was a big divot in the gravel so I drop around it to exit a different way.